On his gubernatorial announcement tour last week, Corbett told the Sunbury Daily Item that his bonusgate investigation is at a "critical juncture" and said, “When we make our next announcement, as I said to The Associated Press, people are going to eat their words." (Sunbury Daily Item, 9/18/09)

Oh, my! It sounds like Corbett means business!

Given his public statements in the year since he arrested Democrats alone and the nearly three years since he launched his bonusgate investigation, Corbett certainly has created enormous expectations.

Not to worry though: the rumors are rampant regarding Corbett's targets, and there has been extensive reporting on the Republicans Corbett is likely to arrest.

Here is a re-cap of some of the rumors and reporting from the last two years:

Indictments for these transgressions individually would hardly qualify as "shocking;" all of them together might raise an eyebrow.

If the seldom-mentioned Senate Republican staffers Mike Long and Drew Crompton (and their former bosses Sens. Bob Jubelirer and Chip Brightbill) were added to the list of potential arrests, Corbett might edge closer to the "shocking" line.

Corbett has an extensive menu of Republican misdeeds to fill up an impressive grand jury presentment. It has been long enough...time to finally place his order.

43 comments:

I am the sharpest knife in the drawer, but there's something I don't understand. Corbett keeps saying things like "you'll eat your words" and "shock the conscience" ... implying he has evidence right now of GOP wrong doings. Now, isn't he required to indict people as soon he has the goods on the big fish (presumable, small fish wouldn't "shock the conscience") And if so, why is he sitting on these indictments? Justice doesn't operate on a PR timeline, whether its budget season, or election season...if he has the goods right now on big GOP fish, let's go Tom! What are you sitting on, and why are you sitting on it????

Prediction: Not this week - the G20meeting in Pittsburgh will block out big coverage of anything else late in the week, and if as is likely there are difficult or violent demonstrations, it'll dominate the news throughout the sate; besides the budget deal is still big evolving news this week. Next Monday is a major Jewish holiday, and Tuesday an important State Senate special election.

I'd bet on first week in October.

Also, how about GOPers like Matt Wright (forced political work on state time using state resources in state facilities) and Mark Mustio (using Perzel POAC to direct campaign contributions to his own campaign). It probably won't be just GOPers, but Dems too like DeWeese (pretty significant if it's 2 former Speakers - Perzel and DeWeese); staffers like Sidella and Andrews; how about Sloane for obstruction; Sen. Mellow for ethics and conflict; and how about big administration officials like Secretary Stetler and Chief of Staff Crawford (it's all in the e mails you've published). That really wou;ld shock everyone.

I am starting to believe that what Corbett meant when he said his next indictments will "schock the conscience" is that, quite literally, he will shock people with how partisan they are. At least he's honest...

All Harrisburg is guilty of is overconfidence that leads towards falling back on lacking the watchfulness all had when first elected. It can be corrected easily with keeping a touch of humility to remember one is there to listen to the people and look to improve the people’s lives. If Lawmakers remind themselves of this task every day, all will take care of itself.

If the OAG wants to make felons out of them because some forgot about their duty to the people than shame on them. There are ways to restore humility to Harrisburg without costing more money for prisons within our own minds.

Work together, admit mistakes, and pledge to make Pennsylvania better every day for the people. Nothing can be nobler, and nothing is honorable.

"Anonymous said...I am the sharpest knife in the drawer, but there's something I don't understand. Corbett keeps saying things like "you'll eat your words" and "shock the conscience" ... implying he has evidence right now of GOP wrong doings. Now, isn't he required to indict people as soon he has the goods on the big fish (presumable, small fish wouldn't "shock the conscience") And if so, why is he sitting on these indictments? Justice doesn't operate on a PR timeline, whether its budget season, or election season...if he has the goods right now on big GOP fish, let's go Tom! What are you sitting on, and why are you sitting on it???? September 21, 2009 7:15 AM

All of it will come back to haunt anyone serving ambitions beyond justice.

We sometimes hurt ourselves when hurt others in the name of seeking a better world for tomorrow.

When one can do deeds to make a better world today.

Hanging some in Harriburg today will tighten noose on anything for tomorrow.

All can be resolved if reasonable and better thoughts prevail to correct past wrongs and go back serving the people.

"Anonymous said...Prediction: Not this week - the G20meeting in Pittsburgh will block out big coverage of anything else late in the week, and if as is likely there are difficult or violent demonstrations, it'll dominate the news throughout the sate; besides the budget deal is still big evolving news this week. Next Monday is a major Jewish holiday, and Tuesday an important State Senate special election. I'd bet on first week in October. Also, how about GOPers like Matt Wright (forced political work on state time using state resources in state facilities) and Mark Mustio (using Perzel POAC to direct campaign contributions to his own campaign). It probably won't be just GOPers, but Dems too like DeWeese (pretty significant if it's 2 former Speakers - Perzel and DeWeese); staffers like Sidella and Andrews; how about Sloane for obstruction; Sen. Mellow for ethics and conflict; and how about big administration officials like Secretary Stetler and Chief of Staff Crawford (it's all in the e mails you've published). That really wou;ld shock everyone. September 21, 2009 8:49 AM"

I agree, timing coverage is more important than anything else right now.

If there are as many Indictemnets as you claim above, there are not enough courts to handle such cases if they are choose to go to trial.

If I was any of the Defendants I would demand a Speedy Trial right away and there is no way the OAG can handle them all.

The Justice System has its own contraints and they are betting on pleads not Trials.

If convictions do not prevail, Corbett's ambitions will turn into ASHERS! And those in the know I spelled it right!

"Anonymous said...I am starting to believe that what Corbett meant when he said his next indictments will "shock the conscience" is that, quite literally, he will shock people with how partisan they are. At least he's honest...September 21, 2009 9:48 AM"

It is no longer about Partisanship, it is about the Governorship.

Ships sink when one does not think!

The OAG and Corbett is doing the right thing, but in the wrong way, in time they will see it, but once too late, only fate remains.

Anonymous said...I am the sharpest knife in the drawer, but there's something I don't understand. Corbett keeps saying things like "you'll eat your words" and "shock the conscience" ... implying he has evidence right now of GOP wrong doings. Now, isn't he required to indict people as soon he has the goods on the big fish (presumable, small fish wouldn't "shock the conscience") And if so, why is he sitting on these indictments? Justice doesn't operate on a PR timeline, whether its budget season, or election season...if he has the goods right now on big GOP fish, let's go Tom! What are you sitting on, and why are you sitting on it???? September 21, 2009 7:15 AM"

Do not miss the point, sometimes Political Parties love to purge their ranks. OAG Corbett is now able to remove Republicans that are now liabilities and create a vacuum of power.

In this way, he has control to what & WHEN they will plead to save their pensions, and replace them with new leadership far more palpable and thankful for avoiding charges at the very same time.

Once branded with corruption these previous powerful lawmakers either brood and wait for an opportunity for revenge and attempt tactics to cause retribution, but that seldom works in the short term.

Once that passes and revenge is not an option anymore they just remain bitter and go on with life, telling everyone that will listen, they got a raw deal.

Others admit mistakes become docile journalists, jolly talk show hosts, and glad handlers talking about the good old days and trying to inform the public on what they know is happening.

Over time, they realize no one is listening and just continue to write, talk, meet, and greet people, about the history of yesterday. No longer in the Leadership of today or tomorrow and beholden to fellow legislators that replaced them, becoming a lobbyists and doing as they are told with a velvet handcuffs called a salaries for services.

This is the fate of all accused of Public Wrong Doing because the eyes of the public are manipulated by those in power to view the fallen politicians with the perception they choose via the prosecutions.

When it will come to cut and run, many will prefer not spend for a legal defense and desire to take their pension and retire.

It may not be right, but it is never about being fair or right, it is about a change of power.

Power Is Not About Perception As Many Think, Either You Have Power Or You Do Not Have Power.

It Is The One Possession One Cannot Fake!...Joseph Stalin

The OAG has the power to change power, with the grant from the people and the alleged misdeeds of some that will be painted with broad brushes to the many, based on the evidence the OAG will choose.

Only the OAG can decide what they will do and how they do it, I hope it is in a reasonable way, but so far I see nothing to prove otherwise.

Rochester Borough Manager Ed Piroli was accused of Misappropriation Of Entrusted Property In A State Department Community Economic Grant (Misdemeanor), Misappropriation Of Entrusted Property Using Police Pension Money To Pay Borough Bills, Theft For Taking Borough Personal Fuel, and Theft For taking Longevity Pay, Criminal Conspiracy, and Conflicts of Interests. Lois Sutter was charged with only Theft Longevity Pay, Criminal Conspiracy, and Conflict Of Interest.

Ed and Lois felt they did nothing wrong, all they did is move money from some accounts to cover Borough Bills to meet payroll at Christmas Time. Not one penny went into their pockets as accused.

Ed and Lois decided to fight for their reputations and freedom and paid out life savings to defend themselves for Trial.

After the Convictions, Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter said,

“Piroli Moved Money Around Without Telling Anyone. The Criminal Decision Was Made To Divert Those Funds And Keep It Quiet.”

Deputy Attorney General Brandstetter went to say,

“That Because Of The Problems With The $50,000 Grant, The Borough Was Placed On Hold For Receiving Any Other Grants Until Spring Of 2009. It Was Outrageous That Piroli And Sutter Were Getting Longevity Pay And Pay raises While The Borough Was Struggling Financially. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM CALLING THEM THIEVES.”

Now one must come to realize that Rochester Borough Manager Ed Piroli never put any monies in his own pockets, all he did was transfer money from some grants and pensions for a time to meet payroll and paid back all monies with interest.

Piroli and Sutter were found “Not Guilty” of taking Theft Felony in the Third Degree for Receiving Longevity Pay And Pay Raises and Fuel that all employees were given and were authorized.

Yet, both were found guilty of a Criminal Conspiracy Felony of the Third Degree and Conflict of Interest Felony.

Piroli was convicted of Misappropriation of entrusted [property for State Department Of Community and Economic Development Grant, a misdemeanor of the Second Degree.

Consequently. As you can see, the Jurors were confused as anyone reading these verdicts.

Yet, Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter called them Thieves for something they were not convicted of at all.

If this is the attitude of the OAG towards all Public Employees especially two that did not enrich themselves.

Can you imagine what will happen on the Bonusgate and B.I.G. Charges???

The OAG worse nightmare is if all that are charged demand Speedy Trials. The entire Justice System is dependent on Plea Bargains because there are not that many Judges, Jurors, and Accompanied Staffers to provide everyone with a Trial.

Most rural counties will have 1 to 5 Criminal Cases prepare for Trial in any term and only 1 to 2 go to Trial.

If you feel you are innocent go to trial and if found not guilty demand Attorney Fees from the Commonwealth for malicious and negligent prosecutions.

A group of Pro Bono Lawyers are always available to sue the OAG, their investigators, prosecutors, and staff.

It is funny, but when Civil Lawsuits are files you will be surprise to find out how many Staffers and Employees in the OAG may be disgruntled and tell the truth when placed under oath.

It can go both ways, if one remains persistence, strong, and uncompromising in knowing their character and reputation and innocence is worth fighting for in any trial.

At the same time, the worse nightmare for all Defendants is when their friends, colleagues, and fellow employees turn "Guilty Pleas" into admitting they were part of wrongdoing and include you.

They will want to cut deals to save their jobs, pensions, and avoid using their life savings, just as LaGrotta did and then justify any betrayal by blaming others.

So, as you can see if some can stand up and risk all to be found "Not Guilty", many cases will come apart for the OAG.

Yet, the worse part is few Defendants that have the guts to stand up and save themselves after seeing others charged with far less crimes be found guilty.

Such as the Piroli and Sutter cases. Now Piroli Conviction and sentencing will actually be based upon how much the OAG can persuade him to cooperate with charges on B.I.G. in Beaver County.

The only out is to pray an Appeal will remove your charges and dismiss the case or have a new trial. But that takes time along with asking for a Pardon.

Meanwhile, you are now a convicted felon and for the rest of your life, you will have to fight for your reputation, and even if successful on Appeal it is a toil to wish on no one.

CONCLUSION: These investigations, pleas, and trials will go on for months and just before, during and after Spring Primaries and General Election Campaigns.

On one hand, one cannot fault OAG Corbett for pressing charges, he is the Attorney General, and he cannot ignore evidence given to him by other people and it his job to protect the integrity of Pennsylvania Government.

There is no question after the Piroli/Sutter Guilty Verdicts; the Commonwealth Charges on Bonusgate and B.I.G. only embolden further charges for all of Harrisburg Caucuses.

On the contrary, the Piroli/Sutter Public Corruption Cases prove that these charges should have been violations that are more ethical and the price too high to convict employees to meet payroll.

The cost of such a trial, lives ruin over meeting payroll, just because of a disgruntled employee seem so small in their token misdeeds and so great in their effect on real people, it is something that cause someone to regret such convictions in the long run.

The bigger problem is if is going to take these kind of resources to claim one is seeking justice in Rochester with such few charges, that resulted in no convictions of Theft, one must question such sanity of management.

Well, the consequences and cost of more counts and Defendants is going to be wasteful and high, when there is a better way.

There is a better way, and why there should be a Blue Ribbon Panel of Legislative Hearing with consultation and agreement with the Attorney General to resolve the difference between the ethical and criminal as well real reforms for the future to prevent such mistakes.

True Leadership for better government see the new technologies of today have made many of our old laws of yesterday obsolete, and some very good people will be ruin by charges that need revised.

If indeed the OAG is correct and the scope of theft and spending of commonwealth resources is so vast, then, that in itself tells you many thought what they were doing was right to do their jobs as asked, and never intended to break the laws a charged.

OR

The laws and practices need revised and are too old, too broad, and not on the level of criminality but more ethical in nature.

Finally, one would hope all Defendants would instruct their Lawyers to Defend all of them together as a way to stand up to charges they feel are unfair.

However, many will try to go it alone, plea out of fear, and maybe take their lives out of unfair shame. Some feel if they are going down on false charges then they will go down with a fight and I hope many join together.

Either the OAG is right and everyone else wrong, or the Defendants are being scapegoat, and this black and white is never accurate and always grey.

It Is A Sad Day For The Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, but there is a better way for OAG Corbett & Staff, and Defendants and future Colleagues!

If we all admit the truth about what needs to be reformed, changed, and paid back for the Commonwealth, Taxpayers, and Citizens and Leadership we have in every Elected Office.

Hey anonymous, Remember Khrushchev?When he came to the UN and pounded the table. He sauid we will bury you. At least that is what the media interpretted to have been said. Check out what he reallysaid (as reported in the European press.) Half of you readers are defectives, i mean detectives. You should have a linguist in yourcircle of friends. Check it out. Herein lies the answer.

Mt friend, in Casablanca life is laid back these days. When there is a litany of holidays, we have learned to wait, and wait, and wait. Change is not something that is built in a day. Ask the Romans, the codifiers of our legal system. Give our esteemed keeper of justice time. After all there are many days until the General Election but, fewer days until the Republican Primary. Our friend the Dalai Lama would say, there are 84,00 doors to the Dharma. Learn to be patient and all will come to pass. In Casablanca, we wait, and wait, and wait. Am I not right, Signor FerraRI?

Check out former senator from virginia ricky saintorum and his connections to DOCTOR Nick Trombetta, Midland Cyberschool Charter Schools.

OAG Corbey had 2 Grand Juries going on but whne he found out Republican Commissioner Camp wife was employed, and some other Republicans were involved, and saintorum kids got free educations, AL OF SUDDEN WE NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE GRAND JURY FINDINGS.We are told Republicans go there to learn how to indict democrats without indicting Republicans.

If anonymous never got anything else right..he hit it on the head with Jim Marshall. I tried to call his office in Beaver Falls about twenty times to find out about my license and I never was able to get through. They don't even answer the phone. Mike Veon might have been a lot of things according to what I read but at least he had a staff that took care of your problems when you needed him. I hope he moves back to Beaver County and runs again. I will vote for him and so will my wife and girl friend.

State Rep. Rob Matzie was Senator Gerry LaValle Chef of Staff feasting on B.I.G. money, cooked up by LaValle's wife Darla recipes from the United Way, and brought to many homes of his son Mark LaValle that was the conduit of real estate transactions with B.I.G Money.

But only Veon and Rosepink Peretta got caught holding the old bag, and please do not confuse that with Gerry's wife.

Where are the indictements on SENATOR GERYY LAVALLE??? OR DID HE BLAME IT ALL ON MATZIE???

Imagine what we have to look forward to in the future. If that reporter Prosec was able to give you that picture of Jim Marshall on the job in his Harrisburg office, he surely must be able to do some time with some of our other legislators. Two years later, Rob Matzie was elected. Did he do a day in the life of Rob Matzie. He would probably have a picture in his file of him endorsing his BIG bonus check.Rob Matzie is experienced in the ways of Harrisburg. He was there to take over when Senator LaValle, his mentor and boss for 20 years did not seek re-election due to all the baad publicity that was generated by the Republicans over the BIG scandal. Some people say that Senator Lavalles wife was allegedly caught up in all this, too. Anyhow, when Sen. LaValle did not run, Matzie should have run for his job, but instead they gave him Shawn Remally's job.I'll bet there is quite a story if one were to pursue it with a day in the working life of Rob Matzie.

"Anonymous said...Corbett and Rendell are on an even par - they are both trying to crush the Democrats throughout Pennsylvania. September 23, 2009 11:11 PM"

What enormous revolutionize changes have not been ambitious?

The Commonwealth’s managerial architecture is in truth that of a centipede walking on hundred legs and one or two do not count.

Hence, if one loses one or two legs, the process will go on, the organization will go on, the growth will go on or changed as designed.

These men do not limit themselves at anytime they only seek to limit others.

They know countless citizens limit themselves to what they think they can do forgetting oneself can go as far as your mind and will lets you. What you judge, remember, you can attain.

All leadership claims to have expansionary visualization whereby one encapsulates the imagination and multiplicity of the entire society.

One that be suitable for any city, county, state or nation that has moved beyond the basics of literacy when people become comfortable with logic and reasoning.

The objective all along is the yearning to develop a scholarship of culture, to verify our democratic traditions and give a manifestation to the diversity and vibrancies for our community through its public education system.

Placing optimism for everyone back into Commonwealth’s future depends on it.

No one is ever satisfied with anything leadership ever does.

However, everyone thinks there is always the opportunity of doing better.

In addition, they will always brag we are all doing better than we were a year ago, in terms of the quality of service, but nowhere near, what we all should be doing for the future.

These men seek to succeed in life in today's bloodthirsty world, and they must show they have the will and stubbornness to finish the job.

Attorney General ambitions from Pittsburgh turn into Governorship ambitions in Harrisburg, and Governorships ambitions from Philadelphia turn into Presidential ambitions for Washington, these are diseases that can only be cured by embalming fluid because an ambitious horse will never return to its old stable.

Ed Rendell and Tom Corbett see the potential dangers if they do not act.

They are acting first, to avoid becoming prey for others and they have the confidence they can manage escaping the blindness of any public scrutiny.

These Men Will Not Quack Like A Duck When They Can Soar Like Eagles As All Others Watch Becoming The Prey Of Their Ambitions.

We hope you are correct, but we've heard the same story over and over and over since September of 2008.

For over a year, people close to the Attorney General's office have said "next week", "soon", "next month", "during budget hearings", "before the election", "after the election", "before the budget heats up", "after the budget deal is done."

Look, maybe now that Corbett is an actual candidate and the budget will be signed over the weekend we'll see the much anticipated arrests...but if past is prologue, we're not holding our breath.